Lobsters get stressed too. Imagine being chased by a giant fish. Or a human with a net. Their breathing rate skyrockets. That little scaphognathite paddle revs up like a car engine. They start pumping water like crazy to get more oxygen into their system.
It’s called “gill bail” behavior. They literally push more water through to flee. So next time you see a lobster shoot backward in a hurry? It’s not just scared. It’s hyperventilating with its armpits.
Can Lobsters Breathe Air? (Explained) - Bubbly Diver
The Smell Factor
Here’s a gross bonus: lobsters use their gills for smelling. Yes, they breathe and sniff simultaneously. Tiny chemical sensors on the gills detect food or danger in the water. So every breath is also a taste of the ocean. Imagine walking around, breathing through your armpits, and tasting the air. Weird? Very. Efficient? Absolutely.
